AN army officer from Cowbridge has completed the world’s toughest bicycle race.
Lieutenant Colonel Alex Price of The Rifles completed the Silk Road Mountain Race in Kyrgyzstan between 17-30th August. The race is unsupported and this year followed a route totalling 1,938km through the country and which climbed 38,000 metres over the Tian Shan mountains.
It is generally considered to be the toughest bicycle race in the world. A total of 172 racers started and only 98 finished. Alex (43) was placed 83rd and finished in 13 days and 13 hours.
Riders must carry their own equipment, be able to sleep out in the sub-zero temperatures, repair their bike and administer first aid to themselves if needed before help arrives. 75% of the route is on unpaved roads or tracks. The race took them over numerous mountain passes at 3800 metres altitude and at one point through the Chinese military border zone, a high altitude area along the border with China which is controlled by the Chinese military.
Six years ago, Alex had an operation to remove cancer on his liver. A year later, he completed the Dragon’s Back Race, a mountain ultra running race that covers the length of Wales. He raised £3,000 for The Centre of Cancer Immunology in the process.
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